Popular on TelAve


Similar on TelAve

Long Beach Recognizes National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2024

TelAve News/10844281
Long Beach, CA ~ Long Beach, CA - The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services' Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) is gearing up for National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, which will take place from October 20 to 26, 2024. The program has planned a weeklong campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of lead and how to prevent childhood exposure through increased education.

This year's theme, "There's lead in that? Learn about sources of lead in consumer products," will be highlighted through various initiatives such as social media posts, citywide lead testing advertisements, and outreach to healthcare providers.

Mayor Rex Richardson emphasized the city's commitment to protecting the health and well-being of its children and addressing community concerns about lead exposure. "Education is key to prevention," he stated. "Through this campaign, we are sharing important information on the effects of lead poisoning and how our residents, especially our young ones, can avoid exposure to potentially harmful products."

More on TelAve News
In California, children can be exposed to lead through various sources such as ingesting lead-contaminated dust or paint chips from deteriorating lead-based paint, contaminated soil, or even through contact with parents' work clothes. Other sources include imported ceramic pottery, painted objects, traditional home remedies and cosmetics, as well as imported spices, candies and other food products. Activities that involve handling lead products like soldering or making stained glass can also put children at risk.

The Long Beach CLPPP works year-round towards preventing lead poisoning by providing health education and advocating for timely screenings for children in the community. Through community outreach events, provider education sessions and parent workshops, the program aims to educate families about the dangers of lead exposure. It also collaborates with programs such as Women Infants and Children (WIC), Long Beach Unified School District's Head Start program and Child Health and Disability Prevention programs to promote testing among children. In cases where a child has been exposed to lead, the program offers case management services and works with Environmental Health to test homes and provide guidance for lead abatement.

More on TelAve News
City Health Officer Dr. Anissa Davis stressed the importance of blood lead testing for children. "It's important for parents to ask their child's doctor about blood lead testing as it is the only way to identify lead poisoning in children," she said.

The Long Beach CLPPP also works closely with the Lead Hazard Control Program, which is funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Health Department's Environmental Health Services Bureau. This program provides property owners of multi-unit properties with lead inspection and risk assessments, and works with lead abatement contractors to make properties safe for children. It also collaborates with the Long Beach Housing Authority to monitor Section 8 Housing and ensure that properties are free from lead hazards.

To learn more about Lead Week, community members are encouraged to follow the Health Department on social media or visit their website for more information. They can also contact CLPPP via email or phone for any inquiries. More information about the Bureau of Environmental Health is also available on the city's website.

Filed Under: Government, City
Show All News | Report Violation

0 Comments

Latest on TelAve News